Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Why I could Never Get a Job at Disney's

There are really 2 broad Disney styles, each with a myriad of variations. The one I like is the 30s rubber hose funny animal style - even as they kept modifying it though the 40s and 50s.These characters are just fun to look at and fun to draw, especially off-model.I love how Goofy is what Pluto will evolve into when he becomes bipedal and get a voice box.

Years ago, when the kids were younger, we took them to Disney World and somehow happened into a place where you could sit at touchscreen monitors and "learn how to draw Donald."

The kids INSISTED that I participate. So I drew a Donald to the instructor's specifications, then, growing bored, added a bottle of booze, a smoking cigar, an inebriated look... well, you get the picture.

At the end the instructor (who could see everything on the student's screens) got to mine, cracked up, and said "you gotta erase that -- I can't print it."

John: I loved your take on Goofy. He was/is always my favorite Disney character. What a perfect Zen attitude. I love how your Goofy looks a bit degenerate somehow. I think it is that patch on his pants over his crotch. He still looks very calm at the center, though! -- Mykal

The problem with "off-model" seems to be that in film we expect everyting we see to mean something relevant to the film. That's why they call it a visual medium.

So when you see a character off-model you try to fit meaning to that. And when there isn't some payoff in meaning to it, because it's just off-model, it pulls you out of the story and your attention is diverted to an affectation of the artist.

That was the reaction I had when I first saw early Bugs Bunny after years of seeing the standard one on Saturday Morning. Or when I see Chuck Jones' heavy-mascara characters. Or when I see the Goofy-with-eyebrows instead of the 1930's Goofy.

Boy, do I know the feeling. I just went to the Ottowa Animation Festival, and met with a recruitment woman from none other that Disney! I showed her my demo reel and sketch book, and she tells me that while it's good that I'm fearless, she doesn't know where I'll end up. Also, she recommended thhat I learn to draw in a 'classic Disney' style if I were to want a place at the studio. Goes to show you how the big boys don't look to stylization or experimentation. (not to bash Disney)